What is a good entry level job when changing careers?

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Pediatrics.

I will be starting nursing school in January 2014 (Yeah! ). Currently, I am a teacher and I work full time. However, my heart is not into teaching this school year and I have a pretty bad class that leaves me stressed out. I really would like to get my feet wet in the medical field but I don't know where to go without any experience or certification. I was wondering what would be a good starting point? I forgot to mention that my program is part time and I can still work full time hours. Any suggestions are welcomed!

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Specializes in ER, Med/Surg.

I started off as a CNA which has helped me to see and experience many different things in the medical field.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Pediatrics.

Thank you for your response! I am just worried about how much the paycut would be for our household.

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Any entry level position in healthcare with no experience or certification will be a pay cut compared to teaching :-)

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Specializes in Med-surg, home care.

Maybe do a CNA or phlebotomy course? I am a potential career changer as well (taking pre-reqs right now) and was looking into possible CNA training and/or phlebotomy (I took a CNA course in high school but that was like 15 years ago!). I am looking into accelerated BSN programs and possibly working per-diem while in school. I would have to leave my full-time job but my current job pays a lot more than the entry level healthcare jobs so I have to hold on to my job for as long as I can and only quit when I know I will be accepted into an an ABSN program

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I was a teacher, stopped in May and hopefully starting nursing school in Jan as well. I got my CNA but couldn't find a job with it but I did just get a job to Patient Access in an emergency department. It's a good foot in the door for me. Leaving teaching for an entry level position will definitely be a pay cut but it will help you to find a job when you're done with nursing school

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Specializes in Pediatrics/Developmental Pediatrics/Research/psych.

How about child life assistant/teacher/rec therapist... In a children or psych hospital. Some don't require a license or certificate. Just a baccalaureate or masters degree. Some of these jobs have more convenient hours and can be done per diem. Also, if your interested in DD population, you could probably get some sort of job there either with your license or just because of work experience. Also, if you're interested in peds, some agencies exist that send teachers to clients who are home bound due to illness often they might be affiliated with home health.

This last idea might not work because you're a teacher already, but lately I've seen home health and headstart/P3/early intervention looking to hire paras for kids with medical conditions.

Last idea, depending on your interests, some districts hire teachers to do health Ed which could possibly fit in your schedule. If your interested in repro health, a job like this in a middle or HS might be good.

Last, why not tutor? Some schools hire students to tutor in their learning centers.

Good luck! I'm graduating in December, and I didn't have a steady job throughout school. It's rough, but I took odd jobs, did research, work study etc

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Pediatrics.

Thank you so much for the advice! I am going to look into some of options you mentioned.

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Specializes in Long term care, psych LTC.

For at least a taste of the culture, CNA is always an option. Myself, I actually started out as a DSP working with intellectually disabled adults (see Mental Retardation) it is a very rewarding experience, plus (depending on your state and/or employer) you'll gain experience with medication administration, narrative charting, and direct patient care. Depending on your setting. Something to look into, anyway.

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